Commission asks for data as residents complain about North Miami Beach water fees

Summary

Commissioners requested a written comparison of per-gallon rates after residents reported rising bills; staff said the city appears to pay the same per-gallon fee as other contract cities, noted fees are limited by state statute, and flagged a 25% surcharge for customers outside North Miami Beach’s jurisdiction.

Commissioners discussed resident complaints about rising water bills charged by North Miami Beach, which provides water service to multiple municipalities.

Commissioner Viscara reported numerous resident inquiries about higher bills and asked for the rates North Miami Beach charges other contract cities so the commission could compare per-gallon charges for Sunny Isles Beach. A staff member said initial research indicates Sunny Isles Beach pays the same fees as other cities in the North Miami Beach contract and that the fees are constrained by state statute, but said staff will look further and produce a page showing per-gallon rates for comparison.

During the exchange, staff stated North Miami Beach applies a 25% surcharge for customers located outside its jurisdictional boundary. The city will print the rates published on North Miami Beach’s website and provide them to the commission for review.

No formal negotiation or policy decision was made at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to compile comparative rate data for subsequent review.